ATI LPN
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017)
Chapter 66 : Management of Patients with Neurologic Dysfunction Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is admitting a patient to the unit who is scheduled for removal of an intracranial mass. What diagnostic procedures might be included in this patients admission orders? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: CT, MRI, cerebral angiography, and transcranial Doppler assess brain masses. Cranial radiography and EMG are not diagnostic for intracranial masses.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is recovering from intracranial surgery performed approximately 24 hours ago and is complaining of a headache that the patient rates at 8 on a 10-point pain scale. What nursing action is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe post-craniotomy headache warrants morphine administration. Prone positioning increases ICP, hot packs may worsen pain, and distraction is inadequate for severe pain.
Question 3 of 5
A patient is recovering from intracranial surgery that was performed using the transsphenoidal approach. The nurse should be aware that the patient may have required surgery on what neurologic structure?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The transsphenoidal approach accesses the pituitary gland via the nasal cavity. The cerebellum, hypothalamus, and pineal gland are not reached this way.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is postoperative day 1 following intracranial surgery. The nurses assessment reveals that the patients LOC is slightly decreased compared with the day of surgery. What is the nurses best response to this assessment finding?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cerebral edema peaks 24-36 hours post-surgery, often causing decreased LOC. Hemorrhage is not confirmed, surgery success is premature to judge, and palliative care is not indicated.
Question 5 of 5
A school nurse is called to the playground where a 6-year-old girl has been found unresponsive and staring into space, according to the playground supervisor. How would the nurse document the girls activity in her chart at school?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Staring and unresponsiveness characterize an absence seizure, common in children. Generalized and focal seizures involve motor activity, and unclassified seizures lack clear patterns.